Silver: Morelle, Sweeney Among Those in the Running for Majority Leader Post

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said he’s still weighing his options when it comes to which lawmaker will take over the chamber’s No. 2 post, which will be vacated on Jan. 1.

In an interview Thursday with Gannett’s Albany Bureau, the Manhattan Democrat said several veteran lawmakers are in the running for the majority leader position, which is currently held by retiring Assemblyman Ron Canestrari, D-Cohoes, Albany County.

“I’ve given a lot of thought,” Silver said. “We have a lot of talented people who are capable of filling that role.”

Morelle, 55, chairs the Assembly Insurance Committee and has served in the chamber since 1991. Sweeney, 63, was first elected in 1988 and chairs the environmental conservation committee.

When asked whether Morelle is in the running for majority leader, Silver said: “He certainly is. There are several others.”

Asked if he would name any of the other candidates, Silver singled out Sweeney.

“Clearly (Sweeney) is an established member who has the respect of his colleagues,” Silver said. “And there are several others.”

Silver, who has held the Assembly’s top post since 1994, said a decision on majority leader will likely come after he’s formally re-elected as speaker. Traditionally, the No. 2 position has been held by a lawmaker outside of New York City.